28.10.2025 18:00
During the wreath-laying ceremony for the Republic Day on October 29 in Bayrampaşa, AK Party Deputy Chairman İbrahim Akın, who was re-elected after the elections were canceled, was protested. CHP council members and citizens turned their backs on Akın while he was laying a wreath at the monument.
During the wreath-laying ceremony held for the Republic Day on October 29 in Bayrampaşa, AK Party Deputy Chairman İbrahim Akın, who was elected with a one-vote difference the day before after the elections were canceled, was protested. While Akın was about to lay the wreath, citizens and CHP members turned their backs. CHP Bayrampaşa District Chairman Alican Çam stated regarding the protest, "Our reaction is not against one person, but against the understanding that undermines the will of the people of Bayrampaşa. Our stance is an expression of our belief in Atatürk, secularism, democracy, and the sovereignty of the people."
PROTEST AGAINST AK PARTY DEPUTY CHAIRMAN AT OCTOBER 29 CEREMONY
Celebrations and ceremonies for the Republic Day on October 29 began in Istanbul. During the ceremonies in Bayrampaşa, İbrahim Akın, who was elected as the deputy mayor in the election held the day before after the cancellation of elections in the municipality won by the CHP twice in the last 1.5 years, was protested.
THEY TURNED THEIR BACKS WHILE LAYING A WREATH AT THE MONUMENT
While Akın was about to lay a wreath at the monument, CHP council members and citizens protested by turning their backs. After the official ceremony, the CHP Bayrampaşa District Presidency presented a wreath inscribed with "Sovereignty Belongs to the Nation" at the monument.
Speaking after the ceremony, District Chairman Alican Çam said: "Unfortunately, on this meaningful day, our unwavering defender of the republic, our President Hasan Mutlu, cannot be physically present among us because he has been unjustly and unlawfully arrested. However, we know that his heart, faith, and struggle are with us, right here, in the presence of Atatürk. We do not find it appropriate for representatives of an understanding that erodes the fundamental principles of our republic to be in the same area. Therefore, by maintaining our respect for Atatürk, we silently protested by turning our backs against the mentality that harms the values of the republic. Our reaction is not against one person, but against the understanding that undermines the will of the people of Bayrampaşa. Our stance is an expression of our belief in Atatürk, secularism, democracy, and the sovereignty of the people."